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Online News PortalTue, 31 Mar 2015 10:21:39 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1CPI-M’s last and final call for Achuthanandan to attend conferencehttp://www.newsonlive.com/archives/71733
http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/71733#commentsMon, 23 Feb 2015 05:13:14 +0000http://www.newsonlive.com/?p=71733Read more »]]>Alappuzha/Thiruvananthapuram:In what appears to be the last and final call to veteran leader V.S. Achuthanandan who has walked out of the ongoing party conference, the CPI-M asked him to return to the ongoing party meet for its last day Monday.

Addressing reporters at the conference venue in Alappuzha, politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Sunday night said that what Achuthanandan did Saturday by walking out was wrong.

“The politburo members who are here met today (Sunday) and was unanimous that what he did was wrong. The same feelings was echoed when the state secretariat also met. Our party general secretary Prakash Karat was asked by the meeting to speak to Achuthanandan and to ask him to return and attend the meeting tomorrow (Monday),” said Balakrishnan, who had Saturday denied the former chief minister had walked out.

The 21st Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) conference that began on Friday plunged into a crisis when 91-year-old Achuthanandan walked out of the meeting Saturday morning in Alappuzha and returned back to his official residence as leader of opposition in Kerala assembly in Thiruvananthapuram, which is around 130 kms from Alappuzha.

Balakrishnan said that as a responsible party veteran, Achuthanandan by no way can stay away from the conference and he was assured that all what he wants to say can be said in the conference.

“Each and every party member has to abide by the party constitution and none is above the party. Achuthanandan should come and attend the conference tomorrow (Monday) and can correct himself by taking part,” he said.

Balakrishnan also noted out that utmost patience has been shown by the party and they did not want to loose anyone from our party.

“We are all optimistic,” he said to a query if he expects Achuthanandan to return.

Before the conference Monday, a new party state secretary will be elected to replace Pinarayi Vijayan who has finished his tenure and also an 80 member state committee.

Meanwhile since his return to his official residence, Achuthanandan was closeted with four of his closest aides and sources in the know of things have revealed that he is unlikely to return for the conference and either Monday or Tuesday, he might even quit as leader of opposition.

The highlight of the report that has been obtained by media reveals that out of the 893 kg gold that was given out for various works, only 627 kg has been returned to the temple.

Rai was asked by the Supreme Court last year to conduct an audit of the temple’s books and accounts.

An division bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice A.K. Patnaik last April in its interim order asked former comptroller and auditor general (CAG) Rai to undertake the audit of the temple accounts and properties for the past quarter of a century.

This directive came on the recommendations of amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam, who had sought overhauling of the functioning of the temple.

Apart from asking Rai to audit the accounts of the temple, the apex court also directed the formation of a new five-member committee comprising of a judge from the capital city, the temple tantri, chief nambi of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple and two more members, of which one will be appointed in consultation with the state government and one would be the choice of the judge.

It was in July 2011 that an apex court committee stumbled upon six vaults in the temple and with just vault B left to be opened, the treasure that has been found in the other five vaults have been estimated to be valued more than Rs.100,000 crore.

Since then, armed security guards besides state of the art security equipment has been deployed for the safe upkeep of this treasure.

Reacting to the new developments, Communist Party of India-Marxist legislator V.Sivankutty said that a few years back all hell broke loose when V.S.Achuthanandan said that things are not going in the way it should go in the temple as far as the priceless treasures upkeep are concerned and blamed the Travancore royal family.

“Look, what Rai has come out in his report. There are some views from some quarters that the issues of this temple should be hushed up. Now with this report, responsibilities should be fixed and those people who have caused this should be brought to light,” he said.

The erstwhile Travancore Royal Family with its headquarters in the capital city is however yet to react on Rai’s report.

]]>http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/71562/feed0Committed to total prohibition, says Chandyhttp://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70715
http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70715#commentsWed, 17 Dec 2014 09:35:36 +0000http://www.newsonlive.com/?p=70715Read more »]]>Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Wednesday reiterated that the aim of his government is to achieve “total prohibition” in the state within a 10-year period.

Chandy was replying to a motion given notice by the Left opposition in the assembly.

“You need not have any apprehension that we are going to dilute the liquor policy. Our aim is to achieve total prohibition in a period of 10 years,” he said.

Chandy said the state government was currently working on certain corrections in the liquor policy declared Aug 21.

CPI-M legislator A. Pradeep Kumar sought leave for an adjournment motion stating that the ruling UDF meeting Monday had entrusted the state government with the task of diluting the liquor policy.

“Instead of total prohibition, you should concentrate on reducing liquor consumption through awareness. We can discuss on bringing a system of liquor rationing so that those employed in the liquor industry do not lose their jobs,” said Kumar.

State Excise Minister K. Babu said the sincerity of the Congress-led government towards liquor is very clear.

He accused the Left government of sanctioning 152 new bars when it was in power during 2006-11.

“…We gave sanction to just 60 out of which 39 were given after the court intervened. You increased the blending capacity of distilleries, but we did not and instead we doubled the daily permit fee for serving liquor from Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000,” he added.

He said his government reduced the quantity of liquor that an individual can possess from 2.75 litres to 1.5 litres.

Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan, however, did not agree and led the opposition walk out from the house.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) meeting Monday gave the nod to the Chandy government to make necessary corrections in the liquor policy which has drawn a lot of criticism in the state.

]]>http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70715/feed0Kerala Blasters FC beat Chennaiyin FC 4-3 to enter ISL finalhttp://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70681
http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70681#commentsWed, 17 Dec 2014 05:05:47 +0000http://www.newsonlive.com/?p=70681Read more »]]>Chennai: Kerala Blasters FC survived a tremendous onslaught from hosts Chennaiyin FC to win 4-3 on aggregate in the first semi-final play-off to enter the final of the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) football competition at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Tuesday.

Chennaiyin won the second leg match Tuesday 3-1 after extra time, but that wasn’t enough to overturn a 0-3 deficit from the away leg at Kochi.

Both teams ended the match with 10 men after Kerala’s James McAllister and Chennai’s Marco Materazzi were shown the red card.

Mid-fielder Stephen Pearson scored the tie-clinching goal in the 117th minute of the contest. Chennaiyin, earlier, had produced a fascinating fightback to square the contest 3-3 in regulation time.

The home team was quicker off the block and came close on several occasions early on in the game.

Kerala, feeling the pressure, resorted to time-wasting tactics to halt the flow of the game, a ploy which earned defender Jamie McAllister a yellow card.

Chennaiyin enjoyed most of the possession and almost went ahead when striker Jeje Lalpekhlua took a first-time shot but veteran Indian goalkeeper Sandip Nandy was equal to the task.

Chennaiyin’s control of the game steadily increased and they were rewarded in the 28th minute when McAllister was sent off for a second bookable offence, unnecessarily kicking out at Bernard Mendy’s legs to be shown the red card.

Chennaiyin, buoyed by the numerical superiority, poured in forward and took the lead just three minutes before half-time. Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre superbly flung himself to a Materazzi free-kick from the left flank to head home.

Chennaiyin went into the break with a 1-0 lead and had a golden opportunity to extend the lead right after the resumption of play when they were awarded a penalty.

Defender Sandesh Jhingan brought down forward Jean-Eudes Maurice inside the box to concede the penalty in the 47th minute only for the experienced Materazzi to send the penalty surprisingly wide.

But the home team kept its focus intact despite missing the opportunity. Kerala wilted under the pressure and conceded again with defender Jihngan chesting the ball into his own net in the 76th minute with Nandy hopelessly out of position.

With time running out, Chennayin restored parity in the tie when an unmarked Jeje opportunistically netted the third goal in the 90th minute to square the aggregate score 3-3 and stretch the contest into extra time.

The match turned in Kerala’s favour in extra time when Materazzi got evicted in the 104th minute.

Till then Kerala were content only with defending but after Materazzi’s ouster, they started moving forward with Pearson scoring the winning goal with a fierce right-footed strike.

Muziris Biennale is an international exhibition of contemporary art held in Kochi, Kerala.

The evening began with a two-hour traditional ensemble featuring 305 artistes playing ethnic drums, cymbals, pipes and horns. In the middle of their performance it began to drizzle, which was followed by a slow and continuous rain. Yet the guests remained seated and watched the performance under umbrellas.

However, when the chief minister along with a few other dignitaries arrived, heavy showers lashed the venue, but they all chose to speak about the second edition of the art festival, braving the rain.

“Kerala has of late become a major gateway of arts for the whole world,” said Chandy.

“Each artwork at the biennale is a wonder in itself,” he added.

The chief minister also said that the state government was considering giving the KMB grants more than the Rs.2 crore which they had provided for in this edition.

Kerala Culture Minister K.C.Joseph ended the ceremony on a lighter note saying “we began with rain, will will end with a thunder”.

Titled “Whorled Explorations”, this edition has been curated by Mumbai-based artist Jitish Kallt who has delved with the theme of astronomical spaces and maritime history of the port city to merge its historical past with a mystical future.

]]>http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70576/feed0FIR against Kerala finance minister in bar graft casehttp://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70489
http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70489#commentsThu, 11 Dec 2014 09:39:09 +0000http://www.newsonlive.com/?p=70489Read more »]]>Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau Thursday filed an FIR against Kerala Finance Minister K.M. Mani after conducting a quick verification of the allegation that bar hotel owners association had given him a Rs.1 crore bribe.

Mani, who is in Delhi to attend a meeting, told reporters that there is no reason for him to resign.

“There are so many leaders who are facing similar probes. There is no truth in this baseless allegation and soon the truth will emerge,” said Mani.

The trouble began when whistle-blower bar owner Biju Ramesh, who is also the working chairman of the Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association, took part in a TV channel discussion in October. He alleged that Mani has received Rs.1 crore to ensure that 418 bars must be allowed to function.

The Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau filed the charge sheet against Mani based on the statements of nine people.

The opposition led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) and Communist Party of India (CPI) have already demanded Mani’s resignation in the wake of the case being registered against him.

The nine-member Kerala Congress (Mani) legislators will meet to discuss the issue later in the day.

“I have faith on the top officials of the vigilance bureau and now the truth has come out,” said Ramesh.

Mani, 81, is named as the only accused in the case.

]]>http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70489/feed0Doing away with Planning Commission unfortunate: Chandyhttp://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70313
http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/70313#commentsMon, 08 Dec 2014 05:18:52 +0000http://www.newsonlive.com/?p=70313Read more »]]>New Delhi: It is unfortunate on the part of the central government to unilaterally do away with the Planning Commission that came into being in 1950, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here Sunday.

Addressing the chief ministers’ meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chandy said the commission had played a pivotal role in the country’s development.

“Over the years, it has been quite instrumental in ensuring social equality, promotion of decentralised planning and has monitoring human development, especially that of socially and economically backward segments in the country,” Chandy said.

“The central government’s arbitrary decision to dismantle the Planning Commission, without convening a meeting of the NDC or consulting the states undermines the federal structure,” he said.

“The proposal to replace it with a new body is half baked, unwarranted and ignores the need for planned development of the country,” Chandy lamented.

“I am not convinced that the wholesale change of a time-tested institution is required, particularly so when we have not progressed even now beyond the conceptual stage of designing an alternative mechanism,” he said.

The Planning Commission was conceived by India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was formed March 15, 1950 — and with it was born the concept of Five-Year Plans.

“This is a baseless allegation levelled by the businessman. He (businessman) said that he came and told me about this graft. Such a thing has never taken place and I wish to ask him to reveal when, where and with whom did he come and meet me,” Chandy told reporters.

Bar owner Biju Ramesh said on a TV channel that Mani had demanded Rs.five crore for allowing 418 bars in Kerala to remain open. These bars were ordered to be closed from the beginning of this fiscal.

Ramesh, also the Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association president, said that association office bearers had handed over Rs.one crore in two instalments to Mani at his residence in Kottayam.

Ramesh also revealed that he had disclosed this graft deal to Chandy.

“If proved wrong, I am prepared to hand over all my assets to the Kerala government and even prepared to immolate myself,” Ramesh said, participating in the TV debate.

Chandy said each and every Keralite knows Mani very well.

“Let him (Ramesh) say more things because I always meet people openly. Since my name has been dragged into this, let him give more details. I can say with conviction that the allegations levelled against Mani are baseless and there is no need for a probe. I know this is false,” said Chandy.

Mani, 81, who heads the Kerala Congress (Mani), the third biggest ally in the Chandy government, told reporters that he is shocked why baseless allegations are being levelled against him.

“If our party detractors feel that they can silence me and my party through such baseless allegations, then they are wrong. I feel there is some sort of conspiracy behind this and it needs to be probed,” said Mani.

Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters that a CBI probe will reveal the truth.

“It’s not just Mani who is involved but other ministers are also involved in the graft and hence a CBI probe is needed,” said Achuthanandan.

]]>http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/68960/feed0Chandy will go Jayalalilthaa way if cases properly probed: Achuthanandanhttp://www.newsonlive.com/archives/67664
http://www.newsonlive.com/archives/67664#commentsTue, 30 Sep 2014 05:37:21 +0000http://www.newsonlive.com/?p=67664Read more »]]>Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will go the same way as J. Jayalalithaa if the numerous cases in which he allegedly has a role are properly probed, leader of opposition V.S. Achuthanandan said here Monday.

“Palm oil imports, titanium factory and solar scam are cases in which Chandy is alleged to have a role. If a proper investigation by an agency like the CBI is held, Chandy is bound to be in trouble… just as Jayalalithaa was caught after 18 years, one day the law will catch up with him,” said Achuthanandan in a press release issued here.

Speaking to IANS later, Chandy said it is rather surprising that when Achuthanandan was the chief minister during 2006-11, he did nothing in the two cases (Palm oil imports and Titanium factory case) when he could have gone ahead with any probe.

“With regard to the solar scam, we have launched a judicial probe and not only he, but no one else from the Left opposition has appeared before the judicial commission to give any statement,” said Chandy.